Wow!  Talk about NICE!  This is a fabulous tree in a hard to find colour (love me the black!).  So far my cat has enjoyed the top bolster-style bed, the half moon back and the scratching posts.  I'm really hoping she tries the hammock bed which is probably my favourite part of this tree.  So. Cool.  As for putting it together, I didn't have any trouble: start the base and bottom pillars upside down to the screws (under the base) are easily accessible.  Once done, flip it over right-side up then start putting the first tier ring/hammock together but DON'T tighten the pillars because you'll have to place the half moon platform on top THEN turn the pillars at the same time in order to be able to fasten them both on the opposite sides of the same pillar (hopefully that makes sense).  This is a great cat tree for numerous cats so in my one cat home, she's the queen of this castle!  Awesome!